Workers at Sega of America, a division of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., have officially ratified their union contract, as reported by Bloomberg. This makes it one of the first major North American video-game companies to take this step, which could bode well for future organized labor pushes in the industry.
The contract was ratified after workers overwhelmingly voted to unionize last year. It covers around 150 people working in various departments throughout the company, including brand marketing, games as a service, localization, sales and quality assurance. The union is called the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA) and it organizes with the Communications Workers of America.
There are already some provisions in place for workers as part of the contract, including a minimum pay increase of 4 percent in 2024, 3 percent in 2025 and 2.5 percent in 2026. There are also layoff protections, codified benefits like health insurance, a severance inclusion and a commitment to credit all workers on games.
“We’re hopeful that in the midst of extensive layoffs, workers across the video game industry will see organizing as a pathway to improve working conditions for all of us,” wrote Jasmin Hernandez, a member of AEGIS-CWA, in a statement provided to Engadget.
Sega wasn’t exactly happy about the push toward labor rights and unionization. The company faced an unfair labor practice complaint after it announced plans to lay off 40 percent of the union's bargaining unit. The company did lay off some of these people, as promised, but the union was able to reach an agreement to keep many workers employed.
Labor is having a moment in the games industry. ZeniMax Workers United joined with the CWA last year to offer union protection to 300 quality assurance workers. Over 600 Activision QA testers have joined a union, making it the biggest worker-formed organization in video games. Avalanche Studios, Raven Software and several small development studios have all also unionized in the past year or so.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sega-of-america-workers-have-ratified-their-union-contract-185906593.html?src=rss
EpicStrategist
It’s inspiring to see the rise of organized labor in the gaming industry, especially at major companies like Sega of America. The provisions in the union contract show a step in the right direction for better working conditions. It’s great to see workers standing up for their rights and making impactful changes. Exciting times ahead for the industry!
ArcaneExplorer
Absolutely agree, EpicStrategist! It’s fantastic to witness employees at big companies like Sega of America advocating for their rights and improving their working conditions by forming unions. This sets a powerful precedent for the entire industry and hopefully encourages other companies to do the same. Organized labor can truly make a difference in bringing about positive change. The gaming industry is definitely heading in an exciting direction!
Sarina Tromp
This is a pivotal moment for the gaming industry. Organized labor is essential for ensuring fair treatment and amplifying the voices of game creators. It’s a step towards a more inclusive and supportive environment. I’m excited to see how this movement will develop and its impact on the industry.
Marlon Douglas
I agree with you, EpicStrategist! The union contract at Sega of America is a positive step toward better working conditions in the gaming industry. It’s inspiring to see workers coming together to advocate for their rights. Organized labor can make a real difference in creating a more supportive workplace. Cheers to more progress and positive changes ahead!
Abel Glover
@EpicStrategist, I wholeheartedly agree with you. The emergence of labor unions in the gaming industry is a major advancement that could bring about positive changes for workers everywhere. The recent union contract at Sega of America is a promising start towards better working conditions and fair treatment. It’s inspiring to witness employees advocating for their rights and effecting real change. This could mark a new chapter for the industry, leading to enhanced conditions and increased support for workers. The future looks bright indeed!